Last night was the company bash at the Franklin on the final night of the Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibit.

There were costumes. And lightsabers.

Yes, we are a bunch of crazed geeks.

The spousage improvised Sith robes with the academic gown he wore when he got his law degree. Hence, Jedi, J.D.:


The party was great (pomegranate spritzers! Pomegranate sauce for the filet!), and the exhibit was, too:


On our way home, we were cab-seeking near the fountain in Logan Circle when a mom and two little boys passed us.

Two little boys who were probably born the year the fourth Star Wars movie was released. If not the year after.

They were brandishing toy light sabers. So of course I opened mine, the spousage did likewise, and we duelled with the kids.

Kids love adults who really play with them. "You guys rock," one of them said as we parted company.

And so we do!

I'm actually leaving work on time tonight.

So that I can go home and pack for a training seminar in another state.

I thought about driving, but the idea of some time on the the train with nothing to do but read, sleep, or just daydream? Was too tempting to resist.

And tonight I get a big hotel bed all to myself.

If only I could sleep in tomorrow! But the training seminar begins at 8 sharp.

Would it kill people to keep their Outlook calendars up to date?

Or, better still, to have their assistants do it?

Because it is exponentially harder to schedule a meeting on a major project with participants from multiple cities if I cannot rely on the calendar's version of their availability.

Harumph.

I said I'd be at work til 7?

It's nearly 9, and I'm still here.

Going soon, though, I think.

And it was a very successful event.

I spent the first part of my day arranging flowers.

How bad can life be?

Of course, I'll be at work til 7 tonight, but at least it's for a quasi-social event (hence the flowers).

I did one arrangement for the bar, and another for the coffee table in our reception area. All white blossoms - tulips, hydrangea, spider mums - and blue thistle for flashes of color.

Arranging flowers is very peaceful, even though I had no floral tape and couldn't get the tulip leaves to do what I wanted without it. Pesky tall vases.

I should take a picture.

But I have too much work to finish.

I was leaving Trader Joe's this evening (where I correctly answered the trivia question they asked over the loudspeaker, and won a box of Joe Joes) and saw a man walking a tiny dog of some kind.

Except that, really, the tiny dog was walking the man.

At least, the dog was straining at his leash, as if he could compel the man to go where he wanted by sheer force of will.

It amused me.

Today felt unproductive, though we did get #1 a new pair of shoes, since he'd outgrown his last pair and hasn't quite grown into the bargain Melanias we found at Daffy's.



He rejected two pairs of Merrells before trying these Tsukihoshis on, and pronounced them "perfect!" They are superlight, and can go right in the washer! I may see if I can find a good price on a second pair, in brown. Or just call Flocco's and see if they can order them for me, because I paid far less there than I'm seeing these for online, even eBay.

I need to crank out a draft of my (short opinion) paper for one class, so I feel like I'm keeping pace. Even though it's not due til Tuesday. Because I'm just a little neurotic that way. I've already reviewed the material we'll be covering this coming week in the other class, but I'd like to feel as though the paper's a) done and b) good. And then I have two chapters to read about business, government and society. Tra la.

Of course what I really want to do is make monkey bread and watch Torchwood. We've got a dozen eps clogging up the TiVo.

There aren't enough hours in the day, I tell you. Especially if this evening brings a return of last night's Cramps from Hell. Ow.

Oh, I got a promotion and a raise. Except that they won't take effect til the next fiscal year begins this summer. Which sort of takes the fun out of it.

I'm covering the front desk as a favor to the receptionist.

Actually, that's wrong, the favor is for the accounting department. They've recruited the receptionist (who used to work in accounting) to enter the payroll data for the month, since the person who usually does that in on vacation.

Anyway, one of the admins walked by and asked me what I was doing here. "Are you being a Helpy Helperton?"

Why, yes. Yes, I am.

Soon enough I will be back at my own desk, doing my own work, like the RFQ response due on the 3rd of January (what Scrooges, to issue an RFQ three business days before Christmas that's due two days after New Year's).

But not for long, as my department will be leaving early for our own little Festivus observance. Grievances will be aired, no doubt, but also? Caipirinhas will be drunk, and meat will be eaten. Oh, such meat. We're in a Brazilian steakhouse rut. Which is not a bad rut to be in, as ruts go.

I, who rarely wins anything, won an iPod Nano from Santa at the company holiday party last night. I covet its metallic blue adorableness, but I don't really need it. I barely use the one I have. So I'm giving it to the spousage as a present, and he can take it back to the store and exchange it (and $50) for the 80gb Classic he needs to replace his dying 20-gb model from several years ago. I think that's very nice of me.

That is the sound of my computer keyboard as I revise a proposal. I'm working late tonight, which will hopefully mean I won't have to work late tomorrow.

The advantage of working late? Is ordering dinner from Fuji Mountain on the company's dime. Mmm, sushi!

I'm in a holding pattern at the moment, waiting for some feedback from others, so that'll give me time to print out the customized Demotivators we're handing out at the company holiday party Thursday night. I've had way too much fun putting those together. So much fun that I almost feel guilty calling it work.

We'll also be handing out trading cards we've created, featuring office notables in humorous separated-at-birth pairings. We've compared one colleage to Martha Stewart, another to the Hulk. I really do enjoy working here, most of the time.

El Santacabra?

Our holiday mascot around the office...

We have so much fun working together. Does it show?

When your miss one bus by less than a block, only to find another, far emptier one on its way to you?

You know it's gonna be a good day, even if it doesn't seem like it at first.

Remind me later I said this.

I love the bosslet and his mad Photoshopping skillz.

I did say it was crazy at work this week, didn't I?

I've been kept too busy (on a dumb project that shouldn't have become as enormous as it has) to devote sufficient time to a deservedly enormous project.

And now I'm feeling harried.

I don't like feeling harried.

Ack.

It just took me an entire hour to wade through my benefits package for 2008.

And I wasn't even making that many changes!

Oy.

But now the boys have been added to the dental plan (it's time for #1 to see a dentist (just for a check-up - thankfully his teeth are in good shape, though he's got his father's funny little teeth instead of my Chiclets), and they are a package deal where insurance is concerned); we've increased our FSA contribution so hopefully we won't use it all up by September again; and we're signed up for the dependent care FSA, which will be by far the most painful where my take-home pay is concerned, but by far the most beneficial where our annual tax return is concerned, though I've finally adjusted my withholding to account for the whole family and attendant costs, so it may even out, or at least not be too inconvenient.

And my 401k deduction will now increase automatically each year, the same month raises take effect, nice and painless. Though my investment earnings haven't been as high as I'd have liked this year. I need to review my portfolio and see what needs to be rearranged. Or maybe it's time to discuss that with a professional, like the guy who manages the spousage's investment account.

I must say, thinking about that sort of thing makes my head hurt. But I need to get serious about it, so I can avoid eating ramen noodles in my dotage.

Thing the first
I found a way to finish a task that's been lingering, unfinished, for far too long. Finishing meant getting three large boxes off of my desk. Woohoo!

Thing the second
It has begun. The seasonal onslaught of gift baskets.

My office received a tower from Harry & David this morning. Two pears are ripening in my overhead compartment as I type.

I should keep track of how many such things arrive between now and Christmas. I'm sure the total will be either amusing or horrifying.

#2 pulled himself up to a standing position yesterday, for the first time (as far as anyone's noticed). That he did this isn't surprising; what's surprising is that he did it on the squishy leather sofa. He stood there for a long time, too, pounding on the back of the sofa.

He still hasn't mastered the crawling. He's better going backward than forward.

Bought darling fall/winter boots for #1 at Daffy's. $100 Melanias for $30. I heart Daffy's. European shoes are just so much more stylish than American brands tend to be. They are European size 29, for my bigfooted boy. Can't find a picture online - must take a photo of the actual boots. The boy was so cute, romping around the store in his new boots.

Bought myself a present at Sephora: tweezers with a light, and a mirror built into the case. No excuse for untidy brows now! Or those pesky hairs on my chinny chin chin.

Haven't been home much this week - Tori Amos concert Monday, Assassins last night, mom's night out with the playgroup moms tonight. We went to Tequila's. Mmm, margaritas. And then there's a work thing tomorrow, and another one Saturday. I hope I have some energy left for more home improvements/decluttering after all of that. Fortunately Mom Phooey is taking #1 to NYC for the weekend, so I'll only have one child to feel guilty about not spending enough time with.

I focused some of my decluttering mojo on work - I cleaned and tidied my cube yesterday, and today we filled a rolling dumpster with junk from our prep room. So satisfying to have some empty shelves. Now we can work on storing things in useful places, as opposed to wherever there's room.

The office facelift plan was unveiled today. The boring gray walls will become blue, green, purple or orange. It's going to be bright and colorful, alright. The large wall opposite my cube is slated to be painted purple, so it's a good thing I like the color.

I'm still losing weight, and still adjusting to being smaller than I think of myself as being. I tried on a jacket yesterday and thought at first it was too tight. Well, it wasn't - it actually fit really well. I'm just so used to hiding in big shapeless things, I've lost perspective.

Okay, sleepy now. I'll have to save Mad Men for sometime this weekend. You are watching that, right? Great show.

I was recognized at our company staff meeting last week for five years of service. Technically my anniversary date isn't til next month, but the next staff meeting won't be for several months, so I was included this time. They have graciously ignored the two months I was technically not an employee, the tail end of my long maternity leave/postpartum depression recovery after #1.

(I can't believe I've been working here for five years!)

Got a lapel pin with our logo and a 5 on it (which I'll probably end up using as a push pin). Got a shiny certificate. And got a catalog from which to choose a gift.

Alas, the items in the catalog aren't very exciting, and I can't make up my mind. These are the things worth considering. Please help me choose!

Poll #1062716 I
Open to: All, results viewable to: All

Which giftie should I choose?

I was supposed to leave work early yesterday, pick up #2, and drive to the shore to meet Pop Phooey, who'd taken the train down earlier with #1 for a couple of days at the beach.

Except that half a metric buttload of crap came down the pike at work, so I didn't get out til after 7.

Being tired, and having not yet packed, the plan changed to driving down this morning. This left time for a delicious dinner at Square on Square (though I burped Mongolian scallops all night) and a load of laundry.

And a really atrocious night's sleep. I never do sleep well when I know I have to be up early the next morning, but this was worse than usual.

I finally gave up at 4:30 and showered and organized a bit. Soon I will pack and get on the road. Best to arrive before #1 wakes up - they only brought one day's worth of diapers, and the last one was installed last night. Though since he's better about using the potty when not at home, he'd probably be fine being diaperless in the hotel room.

It's gonna be a long day, but a good one, I hope, with two little boys at the beach. We'll be back tomorrow, just in time to meet jumakiwi, who's coming to town for the holiday weekend.

I hate people.

I hate people who accept mediocrity without challenging it.

I hate people who respond to simple requests with questions they don't need answered.

And I hate people who aren't prepared for meetings they themselves have called.

Our company golf outing is today.

I do not golf (except in miniature).

So I will be tooling around in a golf cart with my best pal, aka the bosslet, and we will be sipping cocktails, eating fine cheese, and, in spare moments, hurling tiny rubber golf duckies at the golfers.

And heckling.